Can't remember who it was....but someone in the Forum shared a podcast interview with Saban from about a month ago on draft day.
When asked about why Landon Collins dropped and about the perception that he's only an "in the box safety", Saban responded by saying -(I'm paraphrasing here)
"I dont' get it - I don't know why he would drop. He's a fine person...there no charcter flaws"
and on the in the box safety perception.
"Not true...He has great size and great speed"
Point is....I would trust Saban more than any other draft analyst or even scout for that matter. He also gives "honest" opinions on his players when coaches call him. He of course roots for his players, but doesn't give misleading info to coaches...he gives honest answers...and shares player "weaknesses" etc.
Just thought people would be interested to know this. You can also go back in the Forum and try to find the podcast from Draft day....I think Eric was on the thread as well.
Still, I loved the pick.
But at the very worst, Giants got a kickass strong safety who is likely to be a team leader in a year or two.
Hey, Lou. How much Free Safety did Landon Collins play at Alabama? All the draft guides say he's basically "an in-the-box Strong Safety with questionable coverage skills." He says he did a lot more than that, and his highlight reel shows him making some pretty good plays on the ball. What do you think?
Can he be a ball hawking, center field type safety?
(reply) Yes, He's a Beast... Collins in an impact player, GREAT pick for the Giants.
His other athletic metrics were less inspiring. His 10' broad and 35" vert were good, but his 7.38 3-cone was lackluster.
if he is a smart kid, that helps with both.
and it would provide time to train up the Unknown One
Sorry, meant to say "weak safety class"
"I know some people think I would only say good things about players but that's not fair to them. What's important is that they end up in a place where they can succeed and if I just try to oversell them I'm not doing them any favors."
4.53 is slow for a free safety? Seriously? There are a lot of cornerbacks in the NFL who run a 4.5.
Quote:
and it looked like we'd have to overpay to get a good one, but Collins was an impact defender. Even if he's nothing more than a good SS or even a linebacker on passing downs that's still a valuable player. But his speed and athleticism suggest he can be more than that. I would have been disappointed to pick him at 9, I was very pleased to get him in the 2nd.
Sorry, meant to say "weak safety class"
Regardless, it WAS a weak FA group of Safeties, which makes this pick even more important for this year.
Nothing like Kenny Philips. Phillips was a converted corner and was known as a CF type safety who could come up and hit. So far, Collins, has the in the box label. I've seen enough bama games to know he can do it all but the truth is he doesn't look comfortable going back but looks like a linebacker near the line of scrimmage. I can also see him lining up against tight ends. Week 1 will be a nice test against and aging witten
You couldn't have drawn this up because no one would have believed it. Collins drops into the second round and we get him for a 2nd and a 4th. You would have been laughed off the board.
CF is about instincts and aggression too. Regardless of his test scores Collins carries his pads well and plays w/great range. There is no hesitation in his game. He closes on the ball like Will Hill, you can see it on his highlight film. everyone standing around and collins flying in like a missile and finishing the play. you can't measure that special burst at a Combine, it's that extra gear when real bullets are flying and there's a play to be made and collins has it.
u ask anyone at alabama, collins > clinton-dix and dix has been as advertised for the packers
There is no reason not to be positive about this draft as a whole.
Measurables confirmed the concern. While his 40 time is solid his 3 cone was pathetic for a DB. Slowest 3 cone of any DB at combine. He ran it slower than some 300lb DL and OL.
I thought the S Rowe from Utah made more sense with our 2nd round pick because he is a much better coverage player and a guy who plays like Rolle.
Collins is a much different player. It will be interesting to see how they use him. And I sure hope the 5th rounder works out because we need a deep S with speed who can play in game 1.
Collins vs Rowe? Who will be the better player?
There are RBs and TEs he may struggle with in space. That's the concern and that is why he was not a first round S.
I wonder how much more agile he'd be at say 215.
http://www.giants.com/videos/videos/Insider-Landon-Collins-thoughts-on-being-drafted/e386be59-fb22-4df8-9a41-9a4513414f61 - ( New Window )
That ain't exactly asking for the stars.
As a safety, he shouldn't be covering speedier receivers.